Lyric, artistic director to part ways in 2005

December 16, 2004|By John von Rhein, Tribune music critic.

Lyric Opera will not renew Matthew A. Epstein's contract as artistic director beyond the current season, the company announced Wednesday. General Director William Mason cited artistic and philosophical differences as the reason for the decision to let Epstein go.

"We had different opinions about how seasons are put together and the choices of repertory, also the nature of the productions we present," Mason said. "Some of that has found more or less favor with the public."

Epstein, 57, has been a member of Lyric's artistic triumvirate (along with Mason and music director Andrew Davis) since 1999, having previously served as artistic adviser to the company from 1980. He worked in the latter capacity for all three of the company's general directors--Carol Fox, Ardis Krainik and Mason, who succeeded Krainik in 1997.

Phone messages cto Epstein were not returned.

Epstein is said to favor an edgier style of opera production than Mason feels is appropriate for a Chicago opera public that is, generally speaking, more conservative in its tastes than in other major opera centers, especially at a time when box-office and other economic considerations loom large.

Epstein came to Chicago after 26 years as vice president of Columbia Artists Management Inc., where he was special consultant to, among other clients, the Lyric. A shrewd judge of voices and an astute musical producer, Epstein has been crucial to the career development of numerous American singers, including Samuel Ramey, Kathleen Battle and Frederica von Stade.

His other consulting clients have included the San Francisco and Santa Fe operas, Carnegie Hall, Sony Classical and Amberson Productions. He also served as general director of the Welsh National Opera (1991-94).

Mason said that Epstein's artistic input will be partly reflected in the repertory and productions the Lyric will present over the coming three to four seasons. It's too soon to tell whether the company will engage a replacement or "organize things slightly differently," Mason said.